The strangest things tend to happen on or just before a big election day in Ohio. Shadowy out-of-state rightwing groups dump tons of money in our state. Ohio is a key battleground state, etc. We get all that.

What we don’t get is why a group out of Iowa cares what Ohio does in state referendum and Constitutional Amendment issues?

The Legacy Foundation, formed in 2008 by former Speaker of the Iowa House and gubernatorial candidate Christopher Rants, is sending out misleading, though innocuous looking mailers that appear to be simple reminders to vote tomorrow. The text clearly favors Yes votes on both Issues 2 & 3:

The group also got involved in Arizona’s SB1070 “Border Sheriff” dispute. Interestingly enough, in the about section of their press release they bill the foundation as being formed to “focus on state level policy matters”. I guess they didn’t say which state. I love that Ohioans have already found that link and are giving Legacy hell in the comments. 😉

I’m sure both Chris and Bruce would love to hear from Ohioans. They both sure seem very interested in us right about now.

Received one of these when I got home tonight. Took actually reading it (but not much more) to realize that they were only citing the supposed “benefits” of Issues 2 and 3, and none of the arguments against them. But the piece definitely was posing as a non-partisan, “informational” reminder to vote.

Two reasons for late mailers: first. they do have to use some of the money they fleece from fearful teabaggers and second, there is little time to expose & denounce them.

Mikecook1970

I got two pieces from this group today. One was the piece you printed, and another had the almost the exact same text, but it was two color and kinda retro looking. Silly pig farmers.

fry1laurie

Threw mine away as soon as I got ’em. Read the words “Legacy Foundation” and knew they had to be total crapola.

Linbradley

January, 2012 Update:
The Legacy foundation is supporting The Sheriffs Association in Arizona that’s written an amicus brief to defend Arizona’s right to protect their border, in a laawsuit with US Federal government. The sheriffs have hired the ROSE law firm. The Rose Law Firm on its “Philosophy” page compares its team style to that of Joe Paterno at Penn State, inspite of Mr. Paterno’s admission that he did nothing effective in defending young boys from Mr. Sanduski.
“When we stop defending and upholding the basic moral principles of right and wrong, we have already lost the ability to defend our Constitution.”

Linbradley

January, 2012 Update:
The Legacy foundation is supporting The Sheriffs Association in Arizona that’s written an amicus brief to defend Arizona’s right to protect their border, in a laawsuit with US Federal government. The sheriffs have hired the ROSE law firm. The Rose Law Firm on its “Philosophy” page compares its team style to that of Joe Paterno at Penn State, inspite of Mr. Paterno’s admission that he did nothing effective in defending young boys from Mr. Sanduski.
“When we stop defending and upholding the basic moral principles of right and wrong, we have already lost the ability to defend our Constitution.”